CBFC denies role in ‘Jana Nayagan’ leak, calls allegations baseless

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has firmly denied allegations linking it to the recent leak of scenes from the much-anticipated Tamil film Jana Nayagan starring Vijay. The board issued an official statement clarifying that claims suggesting the film was leaked from its office are “baseless and false.”

The clarification was shared through the official X account of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Maharashtra. According to the statement, the digital print of the film had already been returned to the makers last month, dismissing speculation about any breach within the certification body.

CBFC further explained that the content remains highly secure due to strict digital protocols. Access to the film’s material is password-protected, while the Key Delivery Message (KDM) required to unlock and screen the film is exclusively held by the producer or filmmaker. Without a valid KDM, the Digital Cinema Package (DCP) cannot be accessed or viewed.

The board also confirmed that the DCP of Jana Nayagan was handed over to the applicant in Mumbai on March 17 with proper acknowledgement and has remained with them since then.

The controversy began after several clips and scenes from the film surfaced online, sparking concerns over piracy. The film had already faced delays in recent months due to reported differences with the CBFC regarding certification issues.

Following the leak, several prominent film personalities, including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Rishab Shetty, and Vijay Deverakonda, condemned the piracy and expressed their support for the film’s team.

Meanwhile, the film’s producers, KVN Productions, urged audiences to refrain from engaging with leaked content. The banner warned that downloading, sharing, or circulating such material across platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube, or torrent websites is a criminal offence and a direct violation of copyright laws.